Rustic Friends

 

A bit of rustic. A bit of determination...that's about all I've go to say about this card, and that I didn't give up on it. Since I worked to hard to make it I decided to post it. Sometimes I like the cards I make, sometimes not so much. I might have to revisit this at a later date, when I'm not thinking so hard. Any suggestions would be welcome!

I started by stamping the woodgrain pattern in a mix of cream and brown inks onto a bright orange and earthy green panel and then added pops of the bright blue color. The layout is from a sketch by Skipping Stones Design and the colors are from the Embellish Magazine Color Trends Challenge with the twist to do some background stamping.

 

Ok, let's move on to what I really wanted to show you.

Here's a rustic friend that visited us this morning in our backyard. Isn't she beautiful? 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft) PTI, (Green, Orange) SU
Ink: (Vintage Cream) PTI, (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Twine) Divine Twine, (Rubon Sentiment) SU, (Ribbon and Rhinestones) Basic Grey
Tools: (Flower Dies) SU

Pear Blossom

The cousins played in the basement until we heard Grandma's voice saying it was time... Time for the Easter Egg hunt! All of us (I think there were thirteen at the most?) would rush up the stairs and head outside to Grandma's yard and begin the frenzied search for the coveted egg that held the dollar bill. Those uncles of ours hid eggs pretty darn well. I don't recall ever finding that egg any of the years.

TiffanyDoodle's has yet another beauty for her Granny's Yard Series, the Pear Blossom. This card involves some colored pencils, clear embossing and distress inks. I hope to have a tutorial soon! The colors were inspired by the Decorative Trim Color Challenge over at Embellish Magazine. I turned some ribbon into clean and simple trim that runs the length of the card.

Decorative Trim

Today was a good day. In the normal scheme of life, I should be sad that I was sent home from my job because there was not much work. Instead, today I celebrated that it was warm enough to go for a walk with a long standing friend. I celebrated with my oldest son the euphoria that freedom brings as he ran off the bus after a long day of school. I celebrated knowing that our district still has the funds to employee a wonderful speech therapist so she could to help my youngest son. Today, I celebrated the return of work for my husband. Yes, today I celebrated. Today was a good day.

 

This clean and simple card (with a lot of decorative trim!) was created with the current Embellish Magazine's Color Trend's Challenge in mind.

Do share, what are you unexpectedly celebrating today? 

Supplies Used:

Cardstock: (Very Vanilla) SU

Patterned Paper: Webster's Pages

Stamps: (Mega Mixed Messages) PTI

Ink: (Peeled Paint Distress) Ranger, (Summer Sun Pigment) SU

Embellishments: (Ribbon, Trim, Twine) May Arts, (Thread)

Tools: (Metal Die) Wplus9, (Circle Punch) Creative Memories

Number of Tools

I remember registering for our wedding with my husband and in order for him to remain remotely interested in towels and cooking supplies, we had to stop by the automotive department. The "combo" package wouldn't do, he had to register for the drill, the sander, the screwdriver set separately. I also recall his statements on how he needed to go to his father's, because his father has everything and can offer a solution to his problem. Of course, we are now older and therefore my car has to fight for room to rest at night. Do you think that men secretly justify their age by the number of tools or supplies that they own in their garage? 

The Masculine Color Trends Challenge at Embellish Magazine inspired this design and direction of this clean and simple card. (Thanks to a great friend for her words of advice during my foray of not making anything post worthy...keep it clean and simple and true to my style and I'll like what I make.)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: SU
Stamps: (You're the Man, Another Year) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Pigment) SU, (Chalk) Colorbox
Other: (Die) PTI, (Staples) Tim Holtz

Love Never Fails

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

This card is dedicated to you, Mom and Dad. 

Love never fails.

Thank you for teaching me this by living it.

Inspired by the latest Embellish Magazine's Color Trends Challenge with Birds.

 Bluebirds will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream, Kraft) PTI

Stamps: (For the Love of Grids) Practicing Creativity Designs, (Ever After) Wplus 9

Digital Image: (Bluebird Couple) TiffanyDoodles

Ink: (Buckaroo Blue Pigment) SU, (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger

Embellishments: (Satin Ribbon) SU, (Thread)

Other: (Colored Pencils) PrismaColor, (Brown Pen) Creative Memories

Already

Already you can tell she is going to be like her mother. Headstrong. Trendy. Fashionable. Already you can tell that she will be Affectionate. Caring. Graceful. Yes, she's a little diva through and through!

This duo was created with the Embellish Magazine's Color Bag Challenge in mind. I had received some wonderful "Winter Slush" goodies from Gauche Alchemy from a giveaway at the very talented Yvonne's Blog and had fun embellishing the top of the bag. (I just received word that Gauche Alchemy is having a 30% off sale on everything in the store Wednesday 11/17 through to Saturday 11/20.... The code is PATIENCE30)! Lovin' the contrast between the soft pink and hot pink-it just says diva to me! Also lovin' the natural elements with the unusual colors, so totally unlike something I normally do. (Lesson also learned to also make sure your photos are good and clear before filling your bag and giving it to its new owner!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific (Black) SU
Stamps, clear: (Woodgrain Silhouettes) Wplus9
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine (Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray Pigment) SU
Embellishments: (Silver Fibers, Gray Tag, Grommet) Gauche Alchemy, (Black Polka Ribbon) May Arts, (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Hot Pink Grosgrain) Offray, (Black Grosgrain) SU
Other: (White Bag) no source

Grandma's Roses

Sometimes Life grows thistles and overwhelming weeds in your way or sends swarms hornets to follow you so that you can overcome them and become stronger. Sometimes barren spots of brown soil or red clay is all that is ahead in your path, but you keep going because you know that there is a bright spot at the end of your journey. Sometimes, Life gives you someone that is your Rose in the Garden, to guide you and love you through anything.

My garden has had its fair amount of troubles, but I am blessed that it is full of roses, and my Grandmother is one of them! This framed artwork is for her, to thank her for everything. The colors and style were derived from the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge, and the sparkly roses from Karen's tutorial found here.

Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: (Pyrus) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Roses in Bloom) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Vintage Photo, Antique Linen Distress) Ranger, (Really Rust, So Saffron Pigment) Stampin' Up!
Embellishments: (Butterfly) The GuildedBee, (Fabric Leaves) May Arts, (Brass Brads) Oriental Trading Company
Other: (Sugar Maple Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, Coffee Filter, Doily, Frame

Grandma's Wedding Flower

She tells the story with eyes that are reliving the moment from fifty nine years ago. Her wedding was a whirlwind affair, with her groom-to-be just home from the war and leaving to go back. It was the middle of winter, and they did not have a lot of money. Other than her dress, her favorite part was the small bouquet of gardenias that she held, as they were cheap and hardy in the cold, but oh so beautiful to her.

Inspiration from this card derives from the layout natural elements on this album cover for the Jazzy Paper Designs Inspiration Challenge and the colors and technique from the Embellish Magazine Challenge.

Supplies Used: 
Cardstock: (Yellow) Archers Paper Co., (Kraft) PTI, (Light Green) Recollections, (Olive) CTMH
Stamps: (Ever After) Wplus9
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine, (Watermark) Versafine
Other: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbiners, (Olive Satin Ribbon) SU, (Twine) PTI, (White Gel Pen) Signo by Uniball

Saffron Sympathy

 

Explaining the meaning of sympathy to a three year old is rather difficult. It went like this: "Whatcha making Mama? A sympathy card. I wanna help. Sure. What's symfy? Sym-pa-thy means that you are letting someone know that you are thinking about them during their loss. Like when they loose their trucks? Well, no, not really. Like when a person dies. Oh, that's sad." That was it, the end of the conversation.

The current color challenge over at Embellish Magazine also requires the use of a label. I thought it would be interesting to focus on one color and add soft touches of the other two. The label is heat embossed with a pattern and then adhered to the base of the card. I traced/doodled the outside of a nestability and snuggled the label inside, along with stamped flowers. There is some light sponging inside the doodled label as well, the sentiment also has this treatment.


Supplies Used: Cardstock: So Saffron (Stampin Up) Stamps: Woodgrain Silhouettes (Wplus9), For the Love of Dots (Practicing Creativity Designs), Close as a Memory, Linen Background (Stampin Up) Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Versamark (Stampin Up) Marker: Chocolate Chip (Stampin Up) Other: Chalk (Stampin Up) Labels 8 Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Clear Embossing Powder (Stampin Up) Twine (May Arts) Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Corner Round Punch (Fiskars)

Letterpressed Butterflies

Oh the letterpress....You slop the goo called ink onto the rollers, set your image and run the paper through the old crank time after time. Tough work (especially in warm humid weather) but wow, the printed results ever spectacular. Bring back the letterpress!

The colors over at the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge are spectaular as well. I really wanted to recreate the deep, bold black that a letterpress does and was able to achieve that by painting the backside of a Nesties Die and pressing onto the paper. Coupled with the damasked green pleated patterned paper, a pearl and an intricate butterfly stamp, the richness of the black gave me a sophisticated and classy card that was my end goal. In my opinion anyway.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Kraft (Stampin Up) DSP (unknown, it's old, from my stash) Stamps: Happy Days Clear Acrylic (Inkadinkadoo) Ink: Versamark Other: Love Sentiment Stickers (SRM Stickers) Black Acrylic (Golden), Pearl (Want to Scrap) Labels Eight Nestabilities (Spellbinders)

The Leaf Pile

It was a daunting task with those two big maple trees standing tall, and bare in a fair sized yard. They worked hard raking the leaves into a big pile. It was worth the sweat and blisters to see their little son, with a hug smile on his face, run and jump with no fear into the leaves. It was worth it to hear the giggles and laughter.
I interpreted lovely fall-like and manly colors in the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge (color with dimension). I pulled out my newest stamp set and created a background pattern with an upward movement. The sentiment panel is adhered with regular foam adhesive and the directional brown arrow with taller foam adhesive. The overall sketch is based off the one at CPS.

Tip: Did you know that the end of a new pencil eraser fits perfectly inside the "bolts" of the sentiment panel from this stamp set? Just ink and stamp. Instant and perfect colored circles!

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Natural White (SU) Brown (The Paper Company) Stamps: You're The Man and Look Up (Practicing Creativity Designs) Pigment Ink: Really Rust (SU) Chalk Ink: Lime Pastel, Chestnut Roan, Aquamarine (Colorbox) Other: Foam Adhesive

Nothin' but Blue Skies

Blue skies smilin' at me / Nothin' but blue skies do I see / Blue birds singin' a song / Nothin' but blue skies from now on...

Can you hear it? Can you hear the song? The only version I hear is sung by Willie Nelson, and it was only one of many songs playing on the record player that I woke up to on Saturday mornings. When I saw the colors for the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge, I saw nothing but blue skies (and flowers).

Instructions for the main panel (to remind myself!):
1. Stamp Daisy Stamp with Versamark on high gloss cardstock.
2. Color stamped areas with chalk.
3. Overstamp daisy image with Versamark and immediatley heat emboss with clear powder.
4. While the powder is still tacky, sponge additional chalk on the petals for a brighter color.
5. Cover glossy panel with blue ink and wipe off embossed areas. Ink edges of panel with same blue ink.
6. Trim to size, apply sticker sentiment (these are awesome stickers!!!).
7. Stitch ribbon tab and attach layered button.
8. Stitch border with yellow thread on card base and attach main panel with foam adhesive.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Glossy White (SU) White (Georgia Pacific) Stamps: Upsy Daisy (SU) Ink: Versamark Other: Chalk (SU), Thank You Sticker (SRM Stickers), Clear Embossing Powder (SU) Ribbon (American Crafts), Buttons (Cloud 9 by Fiskars), Thread, Foam Adhesive

GG's Jewelry

When I was little I used to crawl up onto the lap of my GG (my great-grandma) and admire the jewelry she always wore, it didn't matter if she was going out that day or not. Oh how she looked so pretty and regal, sitting there in her big leather chair.
The colors for the Embellish Challenge with Stitching were so vintage to me and I used what I remember of GG's jewelry to inspire this card. The layout came from this week's CPS. The latest Creating Keepsakes Magazine was full of ideas this month and they shared that you really could stitch on chipboard-although my wrist and my Janome got quite a work out I really like the subtle results of the aqua thread on the kraft board. I colored around some gems with dark brown to age them a bit and distressed all edges as well. In my mind the flower coupled with the gems resembles a brooch or earring from days gone by. I'm so happy that I went this route for these challenges, and thankful that they triggered such fond memories.




Supplies Used: Georgia Pacific White Cardstock, CM DSP, SU Happy Harmony Stamp Set, Maya Road Chipboard, SU Pretty in Pink Ink and Colorbox Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan, SU Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel Markers, SU Scallop Border Trim and Corner Rounder Punches, White Satin Ribbon from Offray, Thread

My Red Wagon

Seems like the latest trend in papercrafting is to use fabric, and I'm lucky that me and my Janome Sew Mini get along! Here's a card I made for the latest Embellish Magazine Challenge: Fabric. Humor me as I walk you through the steps, as I felt the creativity flowing through my fingers for this one. I stamped the medallion in blue chalk ink on a kraft panel, cut it to size, distressed and then added white craft ink to the edges. (Note to self, if attempting this again, thoroughly let the white ink dry before sewing!) Then I cut the designer paper to size and sewed both the medallion panel and the paper panel to the card base with green thread. I then cut two scallop strips out of white muslin and sewed them together with a banner of red grosgrain ribbon. I colored parts of the medallion in with a white gel pen and topped it with a flat back button. The finishing touch was to add the sentiment in the bottom corner. None of this was how I originally planned my card, but I let my compulsiveness go and the creativity take over.

Supplies Used: SU Kraft Cardstock, CTMH DSP, SU Medallion and So Many Sayings Stamp Sets, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Ocean Breeze and Creamy Brown, SU White Craft Ink, Signo White Gel Pen, Fine Lines Red Grosgrain Ribbon by Morex Corp., Button (unknown source), SU Distresser, Thread



Curious about the title of the post, other than having the color red in my card? Last night our youngest son decided to haul both our kitties in the wagon, who promptly decided they enjoyed the ride and the warmth and stayed there all evening. This of course, was after he decided to color his head with a purple-not washable marker- all the while the oldest was laughing!

Bordered Butterfly

While I was visiting my folks, I cleaned out my old closet, where stuff was hidden from fifteen years ago! I found a roll of acetate leftover from my college days and that was the inspiration for this card, along with the current Embellish Color Challenge with Borders. Awesome spring colors, just what I need to use on this very very cold Wisconsin afternoon. I also based the layout on the current CPS Sketch. Both offer some fabulous design team cards and prizes. For the butterfly, I ran acetate through my Cuttlebug with the Swiss Dots Folder then cut them with the SU Butterfly Die and placed it on top of the same die cut with white cardstock and distressed. The borders are made with the only two border punches I have, and I stitched and paper distressed around most of the edges. (There is a "thank you" stamped and embossed with white in the bottom corner for the sentiment.)




Supplies Used: Making Memories Just Chillin Girls Collection, SU Whisper White and Barely Banana Cardstock, SU Apricot Appeal DSP, SU Pink Satin Ribbon, Fiskars Scallop Border Punch, SU Scallop Trim Border Punch, Heidi Grace Thank You Stamp Set, VersaMark Ink, White Embossing Powder, Cloud 9 Buttons

I Have to Be Honest...

I have to be honest, bright colors intimidate me, and bright colors in mass amounts terrify me. But, I still wanted to challenge myself (after all, I think that one of the reason Challenges are posted?) so I created this set of Birthday Cards for the Embellish Birthdays Color Challenge. The entries thus far are amazing and so bright, I envy them from afar.

I've been away for a while and was able to spend some quality time with my sister, who had this dog stamp set, and the wonderful idea to use a little bling for the collars. She amazes me that with her smart, scientific, veterinarian brain she was able to think of such a crafty clever idea! I love her, her ideas, the fact that she shares her supplies while I visit (and that she looks over my dog to make sure he's still healthy!). Each card is 3.5x3.5 inches and finishes the Birthday sentiment on the inside. I really like the clean and simple nature of these cards (and truth be told the bright colors!) and later I will post some more cards of this nature. The inside sentiments are as follows:
It's a Matter of Making Years Count. You Just become for Fun to Know and finally, Happy Belated Birthday.

Supplies Used: SU Natural White Cardstock, SU Green Cardstock, Colorbox Chalk Ink in Chestnut Roan and various shades of pink, blue, green, SU Its Your Birthday and Man's Best Friend Stamp Sets, Fiskars Corner Rounder Punch and SU Scallop Trim Border Punch, CM Blue DSP, Various Gems, Blue Grosgrain Ribbon